The Rambhaktas, who joined the Virat Dharma Sabha at historic Ramlila Ground in Delhi on December 9, urged the Centre to enact a law for reconstruction of Shri Ram Temple at Ayodhya in the winter session of Parliament only

The Historic Ramlila Ground of Delhi has not witnessed such a massive gathering of people in the last five decades, as was seen on December 9, 2018. The entire Ground was packed to its capacity even before the beginning of the Dharma Sabha at 11.00 am, as the Rambhaktas had started reaching there early morning. The Rambhaktas, who reached the venue after 11.00 am had to listen to the saints through the 21 large LED screens installed outside the Ground. About one lakh people were inside and outside the Ramlila Ground, while more than two lakh Rambhaktas somehow reached the venue but returned immediately, as there was no space even to stand. About three lakh Rambhaktas could not reach the Ground due to heavy traffic jam. They displayed their enthusiasm wherever they were. However, no Rambhakta disrupted the traffic or tried to create any kind of mess in Delhi. That is why the police also cooperated everywhere. The IB reports say the number of the Rambhaktas reaching Delhi was about nine lakh. Apart from the roads leading to Ramlila Ground, the 6 km radius of the Ground was full of the Rambhaktas.

Preparations for this Dharma Sabha had begun on November 25 when the similar Dharm Sabhas were held in Ayodhya and Nagpur. The workers in Delhi took out Prabhat Pheries for awakening in all the Bastis. Also a bike rally was organised in whole Delhi on December 2.

It was indeed the Avalanche of Rambhaktas on December 9. Their enthusiasm reminded the fervour of the 1980s. One of the most interesting and noticeable features this time was the huge presence of women and the youth. Those who are busy in creating the discourse that the young generation has nothing to do with Shri Ram Temple now must have seen this Dharma Sabha or should see its videos widely circulated in social media. The huge presence of young girls, housewives and even working women was noticeable. A group of young girls, women carrying kids in their arms, older women and the youth carried out a 1.5 km long Bhagwa Dhwaj Yatra from Khureji to Ramlila Maidan. They reached Ramlila Maidan via Lakshmi Nagar, ITO. Carrying 1.5 km long saffron flag in their hands they walked while chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’, the slogan, which magically recharged the atmosphere every time it was chanted.

Senior saints at the Virat Dharma Sabha in Ramlila Ground

The traffic leading to Ramlila Ground had been diverted by Traffic Police much before the beginning of the Virat Dharma Sabha organised by Indraprastha Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Hence, the Rambhaktas had to walk normally three-four kms to reach the venue. Those coming from Laxminagar, Noida, Ghaziabad and Mathura and South Delhi had to walk from Yamuna Bridge at ITO. Equally, those coming from Rajiv Chowk side by buses had to walk for more than two km. Those coming from Karol Bagh side had to walk from Jhandewalan to Ramlila Maidan. The Rambhaktas coming from Kashmiri Gate Bus Stand had to walk from the Red Ford.

Senior saints inaugurating the Dharma Sabha at Ramlila Ground

More than three lakh Rambhaktas came from Delhi alone, while about a lakh came from the National Capital Region through trains, buses and even by Metro Rail. The buses full of the Rambhaktas continued to reach Ramlila Maidan till 6.00 pm whereas the Sabha had concluded around 4.00 pm. The Rambhaktas of Delhi had made adequate arrangements for meals for them. Lakhs of food packets were contributed by people for those joining the Sabha at Ramlila Maidan. The women were seen distributing food packets at many places.

If the law for Shri Ram Temple was not enacted in the winter session of Parliament, the political parties should be ready to face the anguish of the Rambhaktas in 2019 general elections

Rambhaktas Created History

There was only one demand of all the Rambhaktas—the central government must enact a law for the temple in winter session of the Parliament itself. The saints who addressed the Dharma Sabha told the Rambhaktas to be ready for reconstruction of the temple. Presiding over the Dharma Sabha Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avadheshanand Giri Maharaj said the sea of Rambhaktas assembled at the Dharma Sabha has created history, as it is for the first time after the 1970s that such a huge gathering assembled at this Ground. He said the govt and the court should understand sentiments of this ‘jansailab’. He administered an oath to Rambhaktas that they would not sit silent till the temple is not built.

Namdhari saints at the Dharma Sabha in Ramlila Ground

Yugpurush Swami Parmanandji Maharaj warned the government that if the temple was not built now, the Rambhaktas would not sit silently in elections. Replying to the allegation by some political parties that the temple issue is raised before every poll, he said “why don’t they help in reconstruction of the temple so that this issue is buried permanently. Jagatguru Ramanandacharya Swami Hansdevacharya said nothing less than law or ordinance is accepted for the temple. He asked the court if Shri Ram Temple is not in their priority, why the judges take leave on Ramnavami.

Why Rambhaktas lose Patience?

Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Maharaj said the saints want that the reconstruction of the temple should begin in this December itself. Swami Raghvanand Maharaj said if the apex court does not respect the sentiments of the countrymen it is an injustice to the Hindus.

Didi Maa Sadhvi Ritambhara said the Hindus have awakened and Shri Ram Temple would be built. “When we see the dust gathered over Shri Ram Shilas in Ayodhya, we start losing our patience. We must not weaken our unity and this united force only will pave the way for reconstruction of the temple,” she added.

Namdhari Sant Shri Dilip Singh Maharaj said there is no difference in Shri Ram and Shri Guru Nanak Dev and all the Sikhs are committed for the reconstruction of Shri Ram temple. “We all the Sikhs are committed to build Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya as we built Shri Harmandir Saheb in Amritsar. We the Namdharis are with the saints on the temple issue,” he added.

Leading Jain saint Shri Lokesh Muni Maharaj said Shri Ram is the symbol of the Indian culture. “If the court can hear the case of terrorists at night and also can hear the plea of the lesbians why it is avoiding the hearing in the case of Shri Ram temple,” he asked. He also asked the central government to bring ordinance on the lines it brought the ordinance on triple talaq. “Come with the ordinance or introduce the bill in the Parliament so that everybody should know who is with the temple and who is against. The parties that will oppose the Bill will not be able to win in 2019,” he added. Shri Dipankar Maharaj said Ramlala is not in the tent but in the imprisonment. “It hurts all of us,” he said.

RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi said the massive Dharma Sabha reminds the deep-rooted faith, anguish and expectations that the young generation has for Shri Ram Temple. He said the struggle would continue unless the temple is built. “It has been our tradition that we want an amicable solution to some issues. If we opted for conflict that had been done long back. The High Court admitted in 2010 that there existed a temple in Ayodhya. No society accepts the symbol of slavery. Hence, we too don’t want any such symbol. We expect that both the court and the government would respect the sentiments of the countrymen and act accordingly as earliest,” he said adding that the reconstruction of Shri Ram Temple would prove to be the foundation of Ramrajya in this country. He said the 125 crore people while agitating also ensure that the dignity of judiciary should be maintained. Hence the judiciary should also think over it. Equally we expect those who are in power today to respect the sentiments of the 125 crore people. “Respecting the sentiments of the majority should be the priority of the government in democracy. The country which does not respect the people’s sentiments cannot stand with self-respect. The government should initiate to enact a law in the Parliament.

Matter of Self-Respect

VHP president Justice (retd) Shri Vishnu Sadashiv Kokaje said the Ram Temple is not an election issue but the issue of self-respect. There cannot be an unending wait for the court verdict. Hence, the Parliament should enact a law respecting the sentiments of the people.

Working president of VHP Shri Alok Kumar said we are reminding the Government of its duty towards the Rambhaktas before the winter session of Parliament. He appealed to all political parties to extend support for the temple. He warned that if the law for Shri Ram temple was not enacted in the winter session of Parliament, the political parties should be ready to face the anguish of the Rambhaktas during 2019 polls.

Vice president of VHP Shri Champat Rai said we want temple through the enactment of a law. Hence, the government and the court should respect the sentiments of the country. He said in clear terms that the division of the temple land is unacceptable. When the High Court has proved that there existed a temple there, the Muslims should withdraw their case.

Swami Chinmayanand Saraswati said the entire nation is one on the temple issue and the Supreme Court should understand it. Shri Vinay Arya said the battle for the temple is reaching on a logical conclusion so none should miss the opportunity to be part of it. General secretary of Sant Samiti Swami Jitendranand Saraswati said it is highly unfortunate that Ram temple is not in the priority of the Supreme Court. Swami Anubhutanand Maharaj, Mahamandaleshwar Shri Naval Kishore Das, Mahant Narayan Giri Maharaj, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shashwatanand Maharaj, Swami Vivekananda Saraswati and many other saints also addressed the gathering.